Christopher Plummer hated The Sound of Music (1965). He called it The Sound of Mucus or S&M. During filming, he would get drunk in taverns and ate so much schnapps and pastries, that he got very fat. His costumes had to be let out. He was also “dead drunk” during the music festival scene.
Christopher Plummer’s Contentious Relationship with ‘The Sound of Music’
Christopher Plummer, the distinguished actor whose illustrious career spanned over seven decades, is perhaps best known to many for his role as Captain Georg von Trapp in the beloved 1965 musical film “The Sound of Music.” However, despite the film’s immense popularity and iconic status, Plummer’s feelings towards the project were anything but affectionate. In fact, he often referred to it disdainfully as “The Sound of Mucus” or, with even more sardonic wit, “S&M.”
Plummer’s distaste for the film began early in the production process and persisted long after the movie became a worldwide sensation. He found the material overly sentimental and lacking in the depth and complexity he preferred in his roles. This sentimentality was something he struggled with throughout filming, creating a significant disconnect between his professional commitment and personal feelings.
The actor’s displeasure with the project was so intense that it reportedly drove him to find solace in the local taverns of Salzburg, Austria, where much of the film was shot. Plummer would often drink heavily, consuming copious amounts of schnapps and indulging in rich Austrian pastries. This indulgence had a noticeable effect on his physique. Over the course of the production, he gained a significant amount of weight, necessitating alterations to his costumes to accommodate his expanding waistline. The once trim and fit Captain von Trapp had to be tailored to fit a more rotund Plummer, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the production team.
Plummer’s struggle with the film’s sentimental nature also led to some less than professional moments on set. One of the most notable instances occurred during the shooting of the famous music festival scene. According to various accounts, Plummer was “dead drunk” during the filming of this pivotal moment. His inebriation was reportedly so severe that it impacted his performance, although the final cut of the film does not reveal any overt signs of his intoxication. The scene, where the von Trapp family performs “Edelweiss” and other songs before making their dramatic escape from the Nazis, remains one of the film’s most cherished sequences.
Despite his behind-the-scenes struggles, Plummer’s performance as Captain von Trapp was widely praised and contributed significantly to the film’s success. His stern yet loving portrayal of the Austrian naval officer won the hearts of millions and became a defining role in his career. Nevertheless, Plummer himself remained ambivalent about the film for many years, often expressing his frustrations in interviews and memoirs.
Over time, however, Plummer’s perspective softened somewhat. In his later years, he acknowledged the film’s enduring legacy and the joy it brought to audiences worldwide. He recognized that, despite his personal misgivings, “The Sound of Music” held a special place in cinematic history and in the hearts of its fans. This begrudging acceptance did not entirely erase his earlier sentiments, but it showed a more nuanced understanding of the film’s impact.
Plummer’s relationship with “The Sound of Music” serves as a fascinating contrast to the film’s cheerful and harmonious exterior. It highlights the often complex and sometimes contradictory nature of an actor’s relationship with their work. While “The Sound of Music” remains a timeless classic beloved by generations, Christopher Plummer’s experience behind the scenes adds a layer of depth to its history, reminding us that even the most idyllic stories can have their share of discord.
